Are You Really A Christian? Do You Openly Share Your Faith With Others?
Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author on Determining to be a Christian Business Owner
As a Christian CPA, Determining to be a Christian Business Owner is not something you can just decide once and for all and then you are done. It is a process much the same is our walk with Jesus in our daily lives and the sanctification process thereof. Becoming a Christian Business Owner requires more than changing your firm name or developing a “catchy” mission statement. In reality it is based upon not only the way you live your personal life but also by the way your conduct your day-to-day business operations. For whether you are dealing with your customers, vendors or employees “walking the walk” and “talking the talk” requires you to make certain business habits and practices indeed an integral part of your every day thinking. These precepts will do much to help you along the way and to guide you in serving God as you work.
Be Informed
No one can master a profession without first its careful study, reflection and practice. Just as knowledge is the beginning to understanding, and then knowledge the pathway to wisdom, so should we be ever studious in the learned application and knowledge of God’s word; the Bible. By being informed we are most apt to know what God has to say about a particular subject rather than leaving our decision making to our own whims, desires or guessing. Similarly we are exhorted to teach our children in all of our comings and goings and in order to do so we must know the truth and the good news of Christ just as we are encouraged to act our faith in the workplace.
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Be Single Minded
Often our emotions are tossed to and fro like the waves on a ocean, but a Christian Business Owner is one who is not easily swayed but one who remains steadfast and true to his convictions and to God’s teachings. If we are not surefooted in our knowledge then we are apt to fall for perils that lay ahead. For when the storms of controversy arrive and business obstacles arrive in our way, we need to be true to our beliefs allowing us to look ahead to the end goal. A “sure-fire” way to accomplish this is to align our thoughts and paths with God’s while not being afraid to stand for all that we, as Believers, have been taught.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Be Profitable
God does not desire for us to be destitute for indeed he desires to lavish great gifts on us ( Matthew 7:11).Though we are not to worship money and the possessions that they allow us, it is fair and just for us to make a reasonable profit. Indeed making a profit is the only way that we will ever be allowed to continue to stay in business and to continue to tell others, we interact with daily, the good news of Jesus Christ. As Christian Business Owners we need to be sure that we pay all of our bills on a timely basis while maintaining fairness in all of our business dealings and contracts. Indeed, we are exhorted to be extra sensitive not to take advantage of those who are less fortunate. Profits do not come easy, nor will they fall like manna from Heaven, but they are the end result of substantive “sweat equity” that a business owner will need to achieve success in their endeavors.
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Be Proactive
In the book of Genesis we are able to learn of the story of Joseph and how he planned during Egypt’s seven abundant years for the seven lean years of famine that followed. Joseph because of his diligence, insight and administrative skill was able to help the country’s citizenry survive during a protracted down economic time. Just as we worship a God of order so are we to organize our work lives and business to be both efficient and productive. If we plan our business affairs on a proactive rather than reactive basis we are most apt to achieve our goals, make a profit and be a Godly example to others.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Be Fair
Our business practices should always be centered and grounded first and foremost in fairness. Though there will often be times when we are in the “driver’s seat” when negotiating with vendors, customers and employees, we should always seek to do what is right rather than what is convenient or to our undue advantage. Doing what is right, by taking the “high road”, will often require both extra effort and expenditures of funds, but it is always the best way as we will remain able to look positively forward rather than fearfully backwards. Whenever possible the Bible states we should show favoritism to those who need it the most by offering friendlier terms and conditions when situations and circumstances warrant.
Isaiah 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Be Consistent
Perhaps there is no greater challenge in our Christian walk that consistency. As the devil roars to and fro in the world looking to whom he can devour and lead astray, so should we be ever diligent not to give evil a foothold. Leaning not on our own understanding but that of our Lord is the only way we can remain strong for it is only in our weakness and our meekness that we are able to draw on the strength of the almighty to order and measure our every step. Living in the present, acting out our faith before others and growing in our knowledge of the Word are our best guarantees to business and spiritual success.
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The ultimate goal of being a Christian Business Owner is to make disciples and to fulfill the Great Commission. In order to do this we have to first be known as Followers of Christ and then to act in accordance with God’s precepts. By being a good steward and example for others we are able to be used in many various circumstances as the very hands and feet of Jesus Christ. As God desires success for us and our lives, we in turn are asked by Him to be seen as a light of the Gospel evangelizing to all that we might, as we transact the daily affairs of our business. Living out your Christian faith before others allows us to reach many who will otherwise not know the Lord and to make an eternal and positive difference for the Kingdom.
“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!”
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